A project to reduce water-borne diseases through access to safe and clean water has been a launched by a Canadian NGO, Potters Without Borders (PWB), UNICEF and KIST.

According to Executive Director of PWB, Burt Cohen, Silver Ceramics Water Filtration, is a low-tech, low-cost water purifying mechanism which effectively eliminates approximately 99.8% of agents in most water borne diseases.

“The silver ceramic water filter is a simple, pressed bucket shape, made with a mix of clay and sawdust or other combustibles, such as rice husks”

“It is already in use in other parts of Africa, Asia and South America where it has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the removal of biological components from water,” Cohen said.

Speaking during the launch, the State Minister in charge of Water and Energy, Coletha Ruhamya, welcomed the project saying it will go a long way in availing safe water to the population.

“The fact that these filters can be easily made from low cost local materials, with the additional advantage of having low cost replacements, makes this technology the most highly suitable to tackle the problems of accessing clean and portable water in Rwanda.” Ruhamya said.

“This initiative is one of the many that will contribute to the achievements of Rwanda’s Vision 2020, specifically, the goal related to accessibility of safe and clean drinking potable water for 100% of the population by 2020.”